The Accidental Curator

This is Part 2 of The Sinister Samaritan - following young George through a few "close call" encounters on the road through Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Sometimes samaritans are not what they appear to be and this is a life lesson best learned young...if you have the wits to survive the encounters & learn from them

Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to part ways with his travelling companions and hitchhike alone...or was it? 

The Sinister Samaritan takes you on a road trip from Regina to Prince Edward Island and beyond in the early 70's as young Georgie weaves his way between bliss and peril on the road. Rich descriptives and encounters abound, as the young traveller dodges dangers and embraces sublime growth experiences at the young age of 17.

This is Part 1 of The Sinister Samaritan with Part 2 soon to follow - stay tuned!

There was a brief window in time when it was safe to travel to Afghanistan as a tourist, or curious wanderer. December 1973 was just such a window. Here is a story of 8 young travellers following the "Hippie Trail" as it was known, on their way overland to India, with a sojourn through Afghanistan which led to Christmas in Kabul. Join them for this unique trip from another era through the "Graveyard of Empires."  

Ottawa, 1980's - a young man, balancing his new wave musician aspirations with his soul-crushing job in the Federal Bureaucracy - has an unexpected epiphany of sorts via a Panic Attack.

Written with fondness for the era, friends, and situations he found himself in - George uses self-deprecatory humour to drive this fun journey through the pubs, bedrooms, and basement jams of his mid 20's. While showing us some insights into the less heralded work as a Communications Officer at the Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation Centre, in our nations capital during the New Wave era.

"A Roughneck's Journey: Trials and Triumphs" In Episode 19 of the podcast, the host returns after a six-month hiatus, sharing tales from a bustling summer at the Shavasana Gallery and Cafe on Mayne Island. As the busy season winds down, the host revisits past ventures, including a brief stint as a roughneck in the oil fields of northern Alberta in the 1970s.

The story, titled "I Could Tell You Wasn't a Roughneck," takes listeners on a journey with two young men chasing the allure of big money in the oil sands. Through humorous and harrowing experiences, the episode highlights the challenges and camaraderie of life on the rigs, culminating in a decision that alters the host's path.

Listeners are invited to explore these vivid tales, which are also available in the host's book, "All Roads at Any Time." As the episode concludes, the host reflects on the current state of the world, offering words of encouragement and hope.

In this episode of The Accidental Curator, George Bathgate shares a gripping story titled "The Fourth Corner." As he prepares to reopen his art gallery, George reflects on three significant car accidents he has witnessed over the years in his Kitsilano neighborhood. Each incident, occurring at different corners, serves as a vivid illustration of life's unpredictability and the importance of staying vigilant.

From the bustling art gallery to the quaint Bruno's Corner Cup Café, George's narrative weaves through time and space, capturing the essence of community life and the ever-present potential for unexpected events. Tune in to hear how these experiences have shaped his outlook and to get a sneak peek into his upcoming book of short stories.

Join George for a compelling episode filled with reflection, humor, and a touch of suspense, reminding us all to approach life's corners with caution and curiosity.

a short story I wrote several years ago, about how young, self-absorbed drunks on a bus could have inadvertently added fuel to the revolutionary fires that were building…in pre-revolutionary Iran…and a review of Joseph Synn Kune Loh’s exhibit, “Who Am I” by Bill Maylone

Two young long-haired travellers arrive in Amsterdam in 1973. One of them, hopes and prays that the rest of his "round the world adventure" will improve over "day one"...it can only get better! Or can it?

Two stories - or memoirs -  today - Joseph Synn Kune Loh's short story "The Astrologer", and Transient Epileptic Amnesia...one is a young man's encounter at a New Age Conference in Montreal, and the other is one more good reason why you should avoid a life of excess😊

After receiving a 100 year old Blüthner piano, I became fascinated with its long journey to Mayne Island and Shavasana Gallery. Here is a story of how to sleuth the wandering path of an "accidental" piano. (to watch a 5 minute compilation video which I made called "11 Pieces for the Blüthner" go here: https://youtu.be/f_o4JUtccH8 )